Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
Language used at home shows which languages people speak in their home life and whether English or another language is used most often. It is a key indicator of cultural diversity and language retention within communities.
About this topic
Language used at home shows which languages people speak in their home life and whether English or another language is used most often. It is a key indicator of cultural diversity and language retention within communities.
This topic is useful for planning communication, multicultural services, and local engagement. It should be analysed together with proficiency in English and birthplace, because language alone does not show migration history or support needs.
Interpretation notes
- The Census records the language used most often at home, so it does not capture every language a person can speak.
- Language used at home is not a measure of English proficiency, literacy, or migration history on its own.
Key insight
In 2021, English was the most common language used at home among residents in Colonel Light Gardens, accounting for 91.2% (3,014 people). This share was higher than Mitcham (C) (82.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 54 people and 3.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Colonel Light Gardens - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Colonel Light Gardens in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mitcham (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Colonel Light Gardens, with comparison markers for Mitcham (C).
English
Greek
Mandarin
Italian
Not stated
Polish
Dutch
Lithuanian
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+54
+3.2pp
Greek
-1
0.0pp
Mandarin
-2
0.0pp
Italian
-9
-0.3pp
Not stated
-78
-2.3pp
Polish
0
0.0pp
Dutch
+7
+0.2pp
Lithuanian
+8
+0.3pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Colonel Light Gardens. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mitcham (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mitcham (C)% | Count | % | Mitcham (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 3,014 | 91.2% | 82.5% | 2,960 | 88.0% | 81.7% | +54 | +3.2pp |
| Greek | 89 | 2.7% | 1.9% | 90 | 2.7% | 2.2% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 33 | 1.0% | 2.5% | 35 | 1.0% | 2.3% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 27 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 36 | 1.1% | 0.9% | -9 | -0.3pp |
| Not stated | 25 | 0.8% | 2.4% | 103 | 3.1% | 3.6% | -78 | -2.3pp |
| Polish | 16 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 16 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Dutch | 13 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 6 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Lithuanian | 12 | 0.4% | 0.0% | 4 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +8 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 3,304 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,363 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -59 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.